Joshua's eyes narrowed as Mikhael spoke to him with mettle, as if he were of knightly rank. Though, if recent information held true, there may have been no credibility to the ranks of Maya's men and women at all. Joshua shook his caste aside and nodded begrudgingly. Ezekial's muscles loosened, and he turned his attention back towards the front entrance to Maya's home. 

	"Time will decide all," Joshua mumbled, shifting uncomfortably in his light, padded armor. The man's short blonde hair was frayed and sprawled out in a mess, much unlike Joshua's usual demeanor. He kept short wavy locks groomed perfectly on most days. His doubt in the Queen was not the only indicator of anxiety in the man. In fact, the way he held himself was on its own, out of character for the Queen's left hand man. "Perhaps you are right, but I hold no hope that our Queen is pure of heart. I will let her speak for herself. She should be arriving any minute, now."

	"Keep your manners about you, Joshua. Unless you decide to abandon your rank, you are bound to Maya's rules, regardless of where they draw origin from," Ezekial cut in, "I am happy that [i]you[/i] still retain faith in our lady Maya, Mikhael. To lose your loyalty would strike her like a dagger, I'm sure of it."

	A moment later, the door rattled open, and Maya's tired frame traipsed across the creaky floorboards. Joshua walked over to assist the hunched-over Queen, but she waved him aside and made her way to Mikhael as quickly as she could manage. "I've consulted with several knights, holding the highest prestige," Maya started, seeming perpetually lost in her own words, "And... And the townsfolk. The people are now at ease. All is calm, and I am ready to speak with my Royal guard." Maya glanced at Mikhael for a moment and smiled weakly. Joshua had followed her to the side of the bed once more, but was visibly off-put by the implication that Mikhael was a [i]royal guard.[/i]

	"You majesty, the boy-" Joshua started, cut off by a Maya's powerful glare. "I see... Very well."

	"You should have expected this," Ezekial taunted Joshua, crossing his plated arms.

	"I expected this in the years to come, not today."

	"Before I begin," Maya interjected, "Do you three have any questions for me? I've spoken very little truth in these past years, and much of it has likely played a part in... Much despair. I feel the need to clear whatever doubts you may have, or fill any gaps that I can." Joshua looked at the Queen, lost in thought. Surely he had questions upon question for her majesty, but with so much on his mind, the knight couldn't manage a peep.

	"I will ask nothing, my Queen. I trust you will guide us righteously," Ezekial insisted, looking to Mikhael for his response to the Queen's generous offer.